President Donald Trump has called for increased oil production to stabilize crude prices amidst heightened tensions following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump emphasized the urgency of pumping more oil and issued a direct message to the Department of Energy on social media: “DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!” Simultaneously, concerns have been raised about the U.S. readiness for potential nonmilitary retaliation from Iran due to the administration’s focus on immigration enforcement rather than counter-terrorism efforts. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow swift deportations of migrants to countries other than their own has also sparked controversy. Additionally, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Trump for initiating military actions without Congressional authorization and stressed the need for a war powers resolution from Congress to prevent further entanglement in foreign conflicts.
Trump has been criticized for not fulfilling his other campaign promises. Congressman Jeffries stated that there is no evidence that the recent offensive strike by the U.S. on Iran was justified under the War Powers Act or the Constitution. Trump, however, called Iran’s retaliation as “very weak” and expressed gratitude for the advance warning provided by the country.
Regarding the missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, Trump mentioned that most of the missiles were intercepted, and there were no American casualties. He claimed that the situation has been defused and expressed hope for peace. Trump also praised Iran for giving early notice, which prevented any loss of life or injuries.
Meanwhile, tensions flared during a budget hearing when Attorney General Bondi clashed with Democrats over proposed funding cuts and other issues. The exchange became heated with accusations of incompetence and corruption thrown back and forth.
CIA Director Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Gabbard are set to brief Congress members on the U.S. military action in Iran, joined by other officials. The briefings aim to address lawmakers’ concerns about the intelligence leading up to Trump’s decision to strike Iranian sites.
In response to calls for Congress to weigh in on military force against Iran, House Speaker Johnson voiced opposition, stating that it is not the appropriate time for a War Powers resolution. He emphasized that Trump has used his constitutional authority judiciously and criticized Democrats for their sudden objections.
Following a classified briefing on Iran, Johnson noted the expected retaliation from Iran but reported no casualties so far. He stressed the need to avoid politicizing the situation and focus on national security.
Jeffries announced a confidential briefing for House members scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The U.S. has confirmed missile strikes from Iran targeting a military base in Qatar. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported as a result of the attack. The Defense Department official confirmed that the Al Udeid Air Base was hit by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. The U.S. is closely monitoring the situation. Iran has acknowledged the missile attacks, indicating a potential desire to de-escalate tensions following recent events involving the U.S. bombing of its nuclear sites.
In other news, Trump’s media company plans to repurchase up to $400 million of its declining stock, with the aim of improving financial flexibility. The company, which operates the Truth Social platform, sees this acquisition as a strategy to boost its stock value. Trump Media and Technology Group aims to drive the stock higher through this move. Trump, the largest stakeholder in the company, holds approximately 114 million shares. The company’s shares saw a modest increase after the announcement but have been on a downward trend since its public debut.
Qatar has confirmed that there were no casualties following the Iranian attack on the Al Udeid Air Base. The country’s foreign minister spokesman condemned the attack and stated that Qatar’s air defenses successfully intercepted the Iranian missiles. Qatar intends to pursue diplomatic efforts to facilitate a return to negotiations and dialogue. The Al Udeid Air Base houses the Combined Air Operations Center and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, playing a crucial role in providing command and control of airpower in the region.
White House and Pentagon closely monitoring potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar
A senior administration official confirms that the White House and Pentagon are closely monitoring potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, stated that both entities are aware of the situation.
Trump questions ex-Russian president over nuclear warhead claims
President Trump is questioning former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s claim that some countries are considering supplying Iran with nuclear warheads. Trump expressed skepticism on social media, asking for confirmation of Medvedev’s statement and emphasizing the seriousness of such a threat.
Democratic lawmakers demand end to Medicaid data sharing with immigration officials
A group of Democratic House members are urging Trump administration officials to stop sharing data of Medicaid enrollees, including their immigration status, with the Department of Homeland Security. The lawmakers, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, are concerned about the privacy and security implications of this data transfer.
Trump targets Rep. Thomas Massie over Iran criticism
President Trump is criticizing Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has questioned his actions regarding Iran. Trump called for Massie’s removal from office and pledged to support a primary challenger in Kentucky. He described Massie as a negative force and not aligned with the “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) agenda.
Congress set to vote on Trump’s military powers
Congress is preparing to vote on a war powers resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine that would limit the President’s ability to engage in hostilities with Iran without congressional authorization. Lawmakers from both parties have introduced similar resolutions, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggesting that Trump’s actions may warrant impeachment.
Trump urges oil producers to increase production
In response to surging oil prices following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Trump is calling on oil producers to increase production. Trump’s statement comes amid escalating tensions in the region and concerns about the impact on global oil markets.
Urging oil producers to increase production, President Trump took to social media with a forceful message: “DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!” He emphasized the importance of keeping oil prices down and warned against playing into the hands of the enemy. The approval from Iran’s parliament to potentially cut off the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil and gas, poses a significant threat that could result in a surge in prices for goods and services worldwide.
Despite speculations about regime change in Iran, U.S. operations in the Middle East have remained consistent. Trump’s comments on the possibility of toppling Iran’s current leadership have raised questions globally, with a focus on the need for diplomatic engagement. The President’s recent social media posts hint at the idea of regime change if the current leadership fails to improve conditions in Iran.
Following Trump’s military strikes in Iran, there was a division in Congress regarding the President’s authority to initiate such actions. While Republicans commended Trump for his swift decision-making, Democrats expressed concerns about the lack of congressional approval. The White House’s communication with congressional leaders, including Democrats, has come under scrutiny, with claims that some were not adequately notified prior to the attacks.
In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan criticized President Trump for the strikes on Iran shortly after nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize. This reaction followed a period of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, which were only recently diffused through diplomatic interventions facilitated by the U.S. Despite the complexities of the situation, Trump has been credited with helping to stabilize the region after a turbulent period.
